It came down to the finals seconds last week, but the Orangefield Bobcats won their opening district game against the Hardin-Jefferson Hawks. Now the Bobcats will face the West Orange-Stark Mustangs. Orangefield will be playing without two-way starter Wesley Frillou.
Coach Josh Smalley knows the competition does not get any tougher than the Mustangs. Smalley points out West Orange-Stark is the preseason pick to win the state championship in Class 4A Division II, and the Mustangs only loss this season was to a school with four times their enrollment. The coach says the Mustangs are athletic out wide with the top four receivers of District 9-4A in Thomas Wallace, Kentavious Miller, Keion Hancock, and Aric Cormier. Getting the football to these receivers is quarterback Jack Dallas who leads the district in passing yards with 1,347 and touchdowns with 16 in the first seven games. Their offensive line looks good according to Smalley. The Mustangs make you tackle in space and that gives most teams trouble.
Then there is the West Orange-Stark defense. The Mustangs fly around, and Coach Smalley states they are the best of any team of playing off of blocks then running to the football and getting there with a little aggression. The coach sums up that West Orange-Stark is a very solid football and the Bobcats will need to play really well to have success Friday.
With the win last Friday Coach Smalley says the Bobcats still have a shot at the district championship and have improved their chances at making the playoffs. Smalley admits that those are still the goals and Friday night will have lot to do with Orangefield achieving either or both of those goals. Friday’s game with West Orange-Stark is the focus right now Smalley emphasizes, he believes the kids will play their guts out and they will just see what happens.
The early lead in the district race will be on the line, and Smalley gives the keys for Orangefield to remain undefeated in district play. Coach Smalley says offensively the Bobcats need to stay on their blocks, running the clock, and go forward not backward. On defense for Orangefield the coach confirms the key is tackling well in space and eliminate big plays.
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